The relationship between Megamind and Roxanne Ritchi evolves dramatically over the course of the film, transforming from a ritualistic, adversarial dynamic into a genuine, deeply supportive romantic partnership.
Here is a breakdown of their relationship's evolution, event by event:
### 1. Adversaries in a Predictable Routine (Beginning of Film)
* **Event:** **Megamind's recurring kidnappings of Roxanne.**
* **Detail:** Their relationship is initially defined by the classic superhero trope of "villain kidnaps the damsel-in-distress to lure the hero." However, Roxanne is highly defiant and unimpressed, often interrupting Megamind's monologues and treating her kidnapping as an inconvenience rather than a threat. She already knows his routines and traps, highlighting a strange, almost professional familiarity in their antagonistic roles.
### 2. The Relationship's Foundation is Destroyed (Metro Man's "Death")
* **Event:** **Megamind defeats and seemingly kills Metro Man.**
* **Detail:** With the hero gone, Megamind's victory is hollow. Roxanne is the only person who actively stands up to his takeover, confronting him on live TV and refusing to be intimidated. This marks a shift from their ritualistic dynamic, as Megamind has lost his true rival, and Roxanne is no longer simply a "bait" but a voice of resistance against the new status quo.
### 3. A Genuine Connection Forged Under Deception (The "Bernard" Phase)
* **Event:** **Megamind disguises himself as museum curator "Bernard" and begins dating Roxanne.**
* **Detail:** To distract himself and find meaning, Megamind, disguised as the kind, mild-mannered Bernard, starts spending time with Roxanne. In this new, non-adversarial role, they bond authentically. They share secrets and Megamind opens up about his personal struggles. Roxanne is charmed by "Bernard's" normalcy and compassion. Crucially, she tells him that a person shouldn't be judged by their "cover" (appearance/reputation) but by their **actions**, unknowingly giving Megamind hope that his true self could be accepted.
### 4. Heartbreak and Complete Rejection (The Reveal)
* **Event:** **Megamind’s disguise fails, revealing his true identity to Roxanne.**
* **Detail:** During a date, Megamind's holographic watch is accidentally struck, dropping the Bernard disguise. Roxanne is devastated and furious, feeling completely betrayed. She rejects him absolutely, not just because he is the villain, but because he lied, used her, and engineered the chaos in the city after killing Metro Man. This is the low point of their relationship, ending the romantic connection that "Bernard" had built.
### 5. Forming an Uneasy Alliance (The Rise of Tighten)
* **Event:** **Roxanne reluctantly teams up with Megamind to stop the new villain, Tighten (Hal Stewart).**
* **Detail:** When Tighten (Hal Stewart, the hero Megamind created) turns into a destructive villain, Roxanne recognizes the new, greater threat. She decides to put her personal heartbreak and grudge aside to work with Megamind, demonstrating a growing trust in his *intelligence* and his stated goal of fixing his mistake. They work together to find Metro Man, cementing their first true collaboration as allies.
### 6. Roxanne Inspires His Redemption (The Climax)
* **Event:** **Roxanne inspires an imprisoned and dejected Megamind.**
* **Detail:** After failing to get Metro Man to help, Megamind turns himself in. Tighten kidnaps Roxanne and challenges Megamind. Roxanne uses a televised broadcast to plead with him, telling him that she needs him and that his best quality is that "The Megamind I know would never run from a fight, even if he knew he had no chance of winning!" This raw, honest appeal to his character and her expression of need serves as the final, powerful catalyst for his transformation from villain to hero.
### 7. Romantic Partnership (Resolution)
* **Event:** **Megamind defeats Tighten and is accepted as the new hero of Metro City.**
* **Detail:** Having proven his capacity for good and saved the city, Megamind is fully redeemed. Roxanne and Megamind reconcile, finally embracing a romantic relationship based on honesty, mutual respect, and shared purpose. The film ends with them kissing and Megamind being celebrated as Metro City's new hero.